Disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser for temporarily covering a counter top surface during food preparation includes a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends and first and second support legs that are each configured to be attached to a mounting surface at spaced distance from each other with the roll of protective covering material extending the spaced distance between the first and second support legs and supported at the opposite first and second ends for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/318,810, filed Mar. 30, 2010, the entire of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for protectingcounter tops and other similar surfaces, and more particularly, relatingto a disposable protective covering and dispenser for temporarilycovering a counter top surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Preparing foodstuff on counter top surfaces or the like creates aconcern for the cross contamination between the foodstuff and thecounter top surface. This is particularly a concern when preparing rawmeats such as poultry, beef and the like, which have a tendency to carrybacteria. When preparing or processing raw meats the counter top surfacemust be thoroughly cleaned with an antibacterial cleaning solution priorto and after preparing the raw meat to ensure proper health standardsare maintained. Properly cleaning the counter top surface is a laborioustask, and because of this, there is a tendency to not thoroughly cleanthe counter top surface each time. Additionally, some counter topsurfaces are porous, such as the grout between the tiles of a tiledcounter top, making cleaning even more laborious.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that eliminates or reduces thechance of cross contamination and which also reduces the labor requiredto properly clean a counter top surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention addresses this need byproviding a disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser fortemporarily covering a counter top surface during food preparation,thereby reducing cross contamination between the food and counter topsurface and reducing labor to clean the counter top surface.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide a disposablecounter top protective covering and dispenser of a construction whichlends itself to be easily manufactured.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide a disposablecounter top protective covering and dispenser which is easily installedand operated.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention further provide adisposable counter top protective covering and dispenser having a noveldispenser construction.

To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, adisposable counter top protective covering and dispenser includes a rollof protective covering material having opposed first and second ends.First and second support legs are each configured to be attached to amounting surface at a spaced distance from each other with the roll ofprotective covering material extending the spaced distance between thefirst and second support legs and with the opposite first and secondends supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

In general, in another aspect, a combination counter top and disposablecounter top protective covering and dispenser includes a roll ofprotective covering material having opposed first and second ends. Firstand second support legs are each attached to a mounting surface at aspaced distance across the counter top. Each of the first and secondsupport legs includes an L-shaped member having a vertical portionconjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a topterminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardlydisposed hole. The roll of protective covering material extends thespaced distance between the first and second support legs. First andsecond support assemblies each include an end cap, a bushing and athread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side ofthe end cap. The bushing of the first support assembly attached to thefirst end of the roll of protective covering material, the stub of thefirst support assembly rotatably extending the slot of the verticalportion of the first support leg with the end cap and the bushing of thefirst support assembly disposed on opposite sides of the verticalportion. The bushing of the second support assembly attached to thesecond end of the roll of protective covering material, the stub of thesecond support assembly rotatably extending the slot of the verticalportion of the second support leg with the end cap and the bushing ofthe second support assembly disposed on opposite sides of the verticalportion.

In general, in another aspect, a dispenser for a roll of disposablecounter top protective covering includes first and second L-shapedmembers. Each L-shaped member including a vertical portion conjoinedwith a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge ofthe vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and aplurality of holes through the horizontal portion. First and secondassemblies, each include an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastenersecuring the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap. Thefirst assembly being rotatably supported by the first L-shaped memberwith the stub thereof extending the hole of the vertical portion of thefirst L-shaped member with the bushing and the end cap of the firstassembly disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portion of the firstL-shaped member. The second assembly being rotatably supported by thesecond L-shaped member with the stub thereof extending the hole of thevertical portion of the second L-shaped member with the bushing and theend cap of the second assembly disposed on opposite sides of thevertical portion of the second L-shaped member.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a readingof the following detailed description of presently preferred, butnonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantagesand the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be hadto the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there areillustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included toprovide further understanding of the invention for the purpose ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attemptis made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detailthan is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, thedescription taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled inthe art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied inpractice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate anidentical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used toindicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic illustration of a disposablecounter top protective covering and dispenser in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention in use protecting a counter topsurface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the disposable counter topprotective covering and dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagrammatic view of the disposablecounter top protective covering and dispenser of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of a support leg;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of an alternative support legconstruction;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative support legconstruction and associated support assembly;

FIG. 7 is an assembled rear perspective view of the support leg andassociated support assembly;

FIG. 8 is an assembled front perspective view of the support leg andassociated support assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view of a disposable counter topprotective covering and dispenser including the alternative constructionillustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that in this document(including the claims) directional terms, such as “above”, “below”,“upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to theaccompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that thevarious embodiments of the invention described herein may be utilized invarious orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical,etc., without departing from the principles of the invention.

Schematically depicted in FIGS. 1-3 there is shown an apparatus 10 forprotecting the surface 12 of a counter top 14. It is desirable toprotect a counter top from contamination from the processing of rawfoods, for example during cooking or preparing the raw food for freezerstorage. Additionally, it is desirable to protect a counter top fromscratching or marring from the use of knifes and other utensils used inthe processing of food. Apparatus 10 provides a novel solution to theproblem of protecting a counter top from disease causing organismresulting from food contamination, and from being damaged by utensils.

In embodiments, apparatus 10 includes an indeterminate length of aflexible protective material 16 wound into a roll of protective material18 about a longitudinally extending core. Protective material 16 can bemanufactured of plastics, heavy paper, combinations there of and thelike. The length of flexible protective material 16 can include distinctsections 20 separated by perforations 22 to permit used sections to betorn from the unused remaining material and to be disposed of.

Apparatus 10 further includes holder 24 for dispensing the protectivematerial 16. Holder 24 includes vertical legs 26 and 28 and a horizontalsupport 30. Each vertical leg 26, 28 has a bottom end 30 fitted with afoot 32 and an opposed top end 34. Horizontal support 30 includesopposed ends 36 and 38. When holder 24 is assembled, legs 26 and 28 arespaced apart with the horizontal support spanning the distance betweenthe legs and joined at ends 36 and 38 to the top end 34 of each leg.

In embodiments, horizontal support 30 can comprise a first portion 40telescopically received by a second portion 42. A spring 44 acts againstthe first and second portions 40 and 42 to telescopically extend theportions. Ends 36 and 38 can be diametrically reduced to be receivedwithin bore 46 of top end 34 or each leg 26 and 28.

In use, as depicted in FIG. 1, apparatus 10 is positioned to extendacross the width of the counter top 14 with legs 26 and 28 positioned atopposite sides thereof. Horizontal support 30 is inserted through theroll of protective material 18. Ends 36 and 38 of the horizontal support30 are joined with legs 26 and 28, and accordingly, supports the roll ofprotective material 18 for dispensing. The bottom end 30 of legs 26 and28 may be secured to the counter top 24 with fasteners to prevent theapparatus 10 from being displaced while in use. A length of theprotective material 16 is pulled from the roll of protective materialand extends across the length of the counter 14 and covers surface 12thereof. Once the length of protective material 16 is used, it can betorn along a perforation 22 from the non-used portion and discardedleaving the surface 12 free from food contamination.

Variations are possible. For example, in FIG. 4, there is depicted anenlarged partial view of a leg 26, 28. A suction cup 50 can be joined tofoot 32 and used to secure legs 26 and 28 to a counter top 14. Inanother example, in FIG. 5, suction cup 50 can be replace with pressuresensitive adhesive strip 52 for use in securing legs 26 and 28 tocounter top 14.

Additional variations are illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 10, whereinlegs 26′ and 28′ are substantially identical and are comprised of agenerally L-shaped member having a vertical portion 54 and a conjoinedhorizontal portion 56. Vertical portion 54 includes a slot 58 extendingfrom a terminal top edge thereof and in an inwardly direction where itterminates at a hole 60. The horizontal portion 56 includes holes 62 a,62 b, 62 c into which are received and retained therein a correspondingfoot member 64 a, 64 b, 64 c. Foot members 64 a, 64 b and 64 c maycomprise a suction cup bottom portion for securing the respective leg toa mounting surface. Alternatively, legs 26′ and 28′ may be secured to amount surface by screws or other threaded fasteners extending holes 62a, 62 b and 62 c.

Further included are roll support assemblies 66 and 68 for securing andsupporting opposite ends of the rolled media 18 on legs 26′ and 28′,respectively, for rotation about the long axis of the rolled mediaduring dispensing. Support assemblies 66 and 68 are identical andinclude an end cap 70 having an integral stub 72 extending from the endcap and bushing 74 extending from the stub. Bushings 74 are insertedinto the core of the rolled media 18 at opposite ends thereof and securethe rolled media 18 and assemblies 66 and 68.

One end of the rolled media 18 is attached to and supported by leg 26′by support assembly 66 with stub 72 extending slot 58 and hole 60 withthe end cap 70 and bushing 74 disposed on opposite sides of the verticalportion 54 thereof, as best seen in FIG. 10. Likewise, the opposite endof the rolled media is attached to and supported by leg 28′ by supportassembly 68 with stub 72 extending slot 58 and hole 60 with end cap 70and bushing 74 disposed on opposite sides of the vertical portionthereof. In this manner, the rolled media 18 is supported at itsopposite ends for rotation along its long axis.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser, comprising: a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends; first and second support legs each configured to be attached to a mounting surface at spaced distance from each other with said roll of protective covering material extending the spaced distance between said first and second support legs and supported at said opposite first and second ends for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.
 2. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: first and second a support assemblies, said first support assembly securable to said first end of said roll of protective covering and said first support leg, said second support assembly securable to said second end of said roll of protective covering and said second support leg.
 3. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 2, wherein: each of said first and second support assemblies includes an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap, said bushing extendable into a core of said roll of protective covering; and wherein each leg of said first and second support legs includes an L-shaped member having a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and a plurality of holes extending said horizontal portion.
 4. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 3, wherein said bushing of each of said first and second support assemblies is a resilient bushing.
 5. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes extending said horizontal portion of each of said first and second support legs.
 6. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 5, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup.
 7. A combination counter top and disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser, comprising: a roll of protective covering material having opposed first and second ends; first and second support legs attached to a mounting surface at a spaced distance across the counter top, each of said first and second support legs including an L-shaped member having a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole; said roll of protective covering material extend said spaced distance between said first and second support legs; first and second support assemblies, each of said first and second support assemblies including an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap; wherein said bushing of said first support assembly attached to said first end of said roll of protective covering material, said stub of said first support assembly rotatably extending said slot of said vertical portion of said first support leg with said end cap and said bushing of said first support assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion; and wherein said bushing of said second support assembly attached to said second end of said roll of protective covering material, said stub of said second support assembly rotatably extending said slot of said vertical portion of said second support leg with said end cap and said bushing of said second support assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion.
 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein each of said horizontal portions of each of said first and second support legs includes a plurality of holes.
 9. The combination of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes of said horizontal portion of each of said first and second support legs.
 10. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 9, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup.
 11. A dispenser for a roll of disposable counter top protective covering, comprising: first and second L-shaped members, each including a vertical portion conjoined with a horizontal portion, a slot extending from a top terminal edge of the vertical portion and terminating at an inwardly disposed hole, and a plurality of holes through said horizontal portion; first and second assemblies, each including an end cap, a bushing and a thread fastener securing the bushing to a stub extending from a side of the end cap; wherein said first assembly is rotatably supported by said first L-shaped member with said stub thereof extending the hole of said vertical portion of said first L-shaped member with said bushing and said end cap of said first assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion of said first L-shaped member; and wherein said second assembly is rotatably supported by said second L-shaped member with said stub thereof extending the hole of said vertical portion of said second L-shaped member with said bushing and said end cap of said second assembly disposed on opposite sides of said vertical portion of said second L-shaped member.
 12. The dispenser for a roll of disposable counter top protective covering of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality of foot members one corresponding to each of said holes of said horizontal portion of each of said first and second L-shaped members.
 13. The disposable counter top protective covering and dispenser of claim 12, wherein one or more of said plurality of foot member comprise a suction cup. 